Explanation
Background:
This legislation authorizes the City of Columbus to accept and appropriate two federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) sub awards from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Office of Justice Policy and Programs. Grant awards support prosecution and victim advocacy services provided by the Columbus City Attorney’s Office. Award dollars fund 1) a portion of salary for two specially trained domestic violence prosecutors; 2) total compensation for one specially trained anti-stalking victim advocate; and 3) an online subscription for case research and cyber-stalking investigations.
The Domestic Violence & Stalking Unit provides best-practice prosecution services for victims of misdemeanor domestic violence and stalking crimes. The unit employs six highly-trained and experienced domestic violence prosecutors, sixteen victim advocates, one stalking investigator, one anti-stalking victim advocate and hosts professional liaisons from Franklin County Children Services and Capital University Law School’s Civil Protection Unit. Services provided by the unit are modeled after the National District Attorneys Association’s National Domestic Violence Prosecution Best Practice Guide and are designed to improve victim engagement; decrease recantation; and increase community and law enforcement collaboration. This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of grant funds and the transfer and appropriation of the matching funds required by the grant award.
Domestic Violence & Stalking Prosecutors 21-WF-VA2-8758 Award = $115,978.06
Domestic Violence & Stalking Prosecutors 21-WF-VA2-8758 City Match = $38,659.35
Total- $154,637.41
Law Enforcement and Anti-Stalking Advocate 21-WF-VA2-4600 Award= $59,596
Law Enforcement and Anti-Stalking Advocate 21-WF-VA2-4600 City Match = $19,865
Total- $79,461
Fiscal Impact: VAWA sub awards require a 25% city cash match of $58,524.35. Matching funds are included in the City Attorney 2022 General Fund budget.
Grant Pe...
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